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TKB LW Review: 2014 SLINGSHOT Turbine

April 18, 2014

SLINGSHOT TurbineSizes Available: 17mSizes Tested: 17m

Slingshot Says:

Everyone knows that if you want to get on the water and have fun in 5 to 6 knots your kite has to be light. We agree, but if you want to go beyond just mowing the lawn you need a sophisticated kite. The new Turbine not only gets you on the water first, it provides a performance ride and lets you stay on the water even as the wind is picking up.

Our progressive Open Delta C design has been updated with a new bridle. We moved from last year’s 3 point LE attachment configuration to a new 5 point cascading bridle attachment system. This is critical for creating a more consistent smooth feel throughout the power stroke when sheeting in and out with the bar. This gives you specific control over the power which significantly increases range on the low end and high end. Additional new improvements include a new lower aspect ratio that is combined with a LE diameter reduction of 9%. The two work together to create more grunt and power without sacrificing riding speed, efficiency or upwind performance.

TKB Says:

The Turbine is a 5-strut low wind machine that Slingshot calls an Open Delta C which earned high praise for its low-end power in the lightest of wind. The Turbine features the standard 9mm inflation/11mm dump valve, unique split strut construction, two mini struts at the wingtip and lightweight trailing edge, three attachment settings on the wingtip and a non-adjustable fixed front bridle that is medium in length. This year’s Turbine ditched the two long wingtip battens for one small batten that makes the fold and pack job much easier. Testers universally praised the Turbine for its impressive low-end grunt in even the lightest winds, as well as the medium bar pressure, user-friendly sheeting and impressive relaunch for a kite of this size. Testers found the Turbine to have middle of the road turning speed but praised the Turbine for its ability to climb from the side of the window in the lowest of wind conditions. Overall, the Turbine earned high marks for being one of the top kites that worked in the weakest of wind conditions.

The Turbine came with the Compstick fixed length 58.5cm bar which features a newly designed push away quick release, below bar tuning cleat, above bar swivel, sliding stopper and single center-line safety depower. Testers found the density of the grip more firm than most which some testers liked better than others. Often testers can be critical of below bar tuning in general, but Slingshot’s design is very clean and allows for a large adjustable throw length for any sized rider while keeping the controls close. Hooking in with the adjuster on the rider’s dominant hand side as well as making adjustments while the bar is sheeted out makes this system easy to use and may persuade below-bar critics. Testers praised the center insert’s raised “volcano” edges for keeping fingers away from the depower line for comfort and safety as well as the OS handles which double as a Velcro attachment for keeping the bar securely wrapped up.